OGUK Business Outlook 2021

BUSINESS OUTLOOK 2021

UK Oil and Gas Industry – Performance and Outlook

Oil market The Brent spot price averaged $41.9/barrel (bbl) in 2020, around 35 per cent lower than the 2019 average of $64.3/bbl and 43 per cent below the average over the last 20 years ($73.9/bbl). This was the lowest real-terms Brent price since 2003. In addition, last year also saw some of the most volatile market conditions on record. The price spread within the year was over $61/bbl — almost three times higher than that of 2019 — with the spot price at one point falling below $10 and front-month futures below $20. This was mainly driven by a record fall in demand following COVID-19 restrictions, and uncertainty with regards to supply following the collapse of OPEC+ discussions in March. There is greater optimism emerging around the forward price outlook, with significant gains towards the end of 2020 and into 2021. Prices during January and February 2021 averaged $58.5/bbl, increasing to above $70 in early March. This trend is mainly centred on expectations that the global vaccine roll-out will lead to continued demand recovery and a tighter supply balance. However, it is anticipated that the post-COVID demand growth trajectory will be slower than pre-pandemic expectations, and many scenarios suggest it may never return to 2019 levels. In line with this uncertainty, there are a wide range of views as to how the Brent price will develop throughout 2021, although most lie between the $55–65/bbl range.

Demand outlook Global oil demand fell by nearly 9 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2020 to the lowest level since 2014, as countries took action to restrict the spread of COVID-19. These restrictions resulted in lower economic and industrial output and significantly reduced transport demand. In April 2020, demand levels were as much as 25 per cent down year on year, to rates last seen in 1995. Demand is expected to return to growth this year, with record year-on-year increases anticipated, although this will not be enough to mark a return to pre-pandemic levels. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts demand of 97.7 million bpd, with a return to pre-pandemic rates unlikely until later in 2022.

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